What defines a PERCIPIENT WITNESS?

A percipient witness is defined as a witness who has firsthand knowledge of the events or facts related to a case. This means that the witness personally observed or experienced the event in question and can provide direct testimony based on their own experiences. This type of witness is crucial in legal proceedings because their accounts are based on direct observation, making their testimony more credible and reliable.

In contexts where legal testimony is critical, the distinction between firsthand knowledge and hearsay is significant. Hearsay, as referenced in the other answer choices, involves information received from another person that is not based on the witness’s direct knowledge, which a percipient witness would not have. The role and reliability of a percipient witness hinge on their ability to recount what they directly saw or experienced, thereby contributing valuable firsthand evidence to the case at hand.